Spotlight on Tom

As it is National Volunteers Week (1st – 10th June), we want to celebrate our guardians’ volunteering more than ever. When Tom became a guardian with Dot Dot Dot he hadn’t previously done any volunteering, but is now involved in several great projects. This is what he has to say: 

I am currently in my third month of being a Property Guardian with Dot Dot Dot. When I first started I did not have any established volunteering work, but the help I received from Dot Dot Dot could not have been better.

I am now a Park Champion at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park where I volunteer at least once a week on the Information and Mobility Desk. I enjoy this so much because of the great people I get to work alongside and a huge sense of reward from the people I get to help. This can be anything from giving directions on a map to escorting someone through the park on a tour who may have mobility issues.

I also volunteer with a smaller organisation called World Write. They teach children who come from difficult backgrounds how to film and create documentaries. This is great as they are like a big family and have welcomed me in and are always so grateful for anything I can do to help them. Whether its helping with general admin tasks to ‘trying’ to fix their computers that are all donated.
I thoroughly enjoy volunteering, and with the tools that are available to me (and everyone) it could not be easier to find opportunities that interest me and that I am passionate about.

I have had so much fun over the past few months and I am really looking forward to continuing my volunteering work with the friends I have made along the way.

Get involved

• If you’re interested in volunteering and becoming a guardian with Dot Dot Dot, apply here today
• Keep up to date with our news and our guardians’ volunteering experiences on Facebook and Twitter

This week’s top five volunteering opportunities

1.Missing People

Where:  South-West London
When: Various
Commitment Level: Various

Missing People is a charity which is dedicated to bringing missing children and adults back together with their families. They have a variety of volunteer opportunities to get involved in – which you can find here. For further information please email volunteer@missingpeople.org.uk or contact them by phone on 0208 392 5548.

2.Trees for Cities

Where: Greenwich, SE9 2JE
When: 2^nd April 10.00-16.00
Commitment Level: One-off

Trees for Cities is working in partnership with the Royal Borough of Greenwich to plant new trees around Eltham Estates in Greenwich. The species have been specially selected to help prevent flooding. They need volunteers to help them plant, stake and mulch the trees and shrubs. For more information, see here.

3.Friends of The Connection at St Martin-in-the-Fields

Where: Central London
When: Various
Commitment Level: Various

The Friends of The Connection is a network of people dedicated to preventing street homelessness and reintegrating homeless people into society. The Friends does not offer direct volunteering opportunities with homeless people but they do offer opportunities in fundraising and other areas. They have openings for a communications lead, an honorary treasurer, a membership recruitment lead and a local fundraising support lead. If you are interested in any of these please contact the Chair, Charles Woodd on 07962 213494 or email friends@cstm.org.uk

4.Into University

Where: Various
When: Various
Commitment Level: Regular Commitment

Into University provides local learning centres where young people are inspired to achieve. They have a whole variety of volunteering opportunities, which you can find here.

5.Poplar HARCA – Spring Festival Volunteers

Where: Chrisp Street
When: 23^rd April
Commitment Level: One-off commitment

Chrisp Street is hosting a Spring Festival to celebrate all things green and local on Saturday 23^rd April. They are looking for friendly and welcoming volunteers to help with the event. For more information and to register your interest, click here.